Doctors, medical students call strike for today on 5-point demand

Doctors and medical students across the country called a strike for today to press their five-point demand, including reserving the title "doctor" exclusively for holders of MBBS or BDS degrees.

During the strike, all academic activities of medical and dental students across Bangladesh will be suspended, reads a press release. 

Indoor, outdoor, and evening services at hospitals will remain closed throughout the day. However, emergency services at hospitals will continue on humanitarian grounds, it added. 

Their demands also include updating the Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug list to meet international standards, addressing the shortage of doctors in the healthcare sector, and shutting down substandard medical colleges and Medical Technologist Schools (MATS).

Patients suffer as doctors strike at Cumilla Medical 

Patients seeking treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital faced severe difficulties as doctors went on strike yesterday pressing for the demands. 

The strike, involving interns, private training doctors, and Cumilla Medical College students, left many patients stranded, with the hospital's main gates closed.

Sattar Mia, who travelled from Chandpur with his wife and children for medical care, expressed his frustration, saying, "I came here with great difficulty, only to find doctors on strike and no treatment available. What's the point of coming here?"

In response to concerns about patient suffering, protesting doctors stated that the strike was necessary for the betterment of the healthcare system and the long-term protection of doctors. They acknowledged the temporary inconvenience but emphasised that their demands would ultimately lead to improved healthcare services nationwide.

Rajshahi doctors halt private practice 

In Rajshahi, doctors announced an indefinite suspension of private practice until their demands are met. 

The decision was declared during a protest in front of Rajshahi Medical College yesterday, where doctors and students gathered to voice their grievances.

Speaking at the protest, Dr Monowar Tariq Sabu, general secretary of the Rajshahi Medical College Teachers' Association, stated, "If our demands are not accepted, we will announce even stricter programs."

The protest led to a complete shutdown of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, with outpatient services suspended from 11 am.

Intern doctors also formed a human chain outside the hospital's outpatient department, while students boycotted classes and exams in solidarity. Later, senior doctors from across Rajshahi joined the protest.

Dispute over 'doctor' title

There has been a dispute between Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) and medical college students over the right to use the "doctor" title, leading to nationwide disruptions in the health sector.

The High Court (HC) is scheduled to deliver verdict today on the writ petitions over use "doctor" title

According to the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act, 2010, only MBBS and BDS graduates can use the "doctor" title.

In 2013, Shamsul Huda, the then convener of the Bangladesh Diploma Medical Association, along with others, filed a petition challenging the discriminatory application of this law against Diploma in Medical Faculty (DMF) degree holders.

Another petition was filed last year questioning the legality of Section-29 of the BMDC Act. After hearing both petitions together, the High Court set 12 March to deliver its verdict.